top of page
.png)
Wangaratta Handweavers and Spinners
50th Anniversary Exhibition 2023
Click on the photos for some very interesting descriptions of the items.
50th Anniversary Exhibition.
2023 was the 50th anniversary of the Wangaratta Handweavers and Spinners.
An exhibition was held mid 2023 to celebrate the Wangaratta Handweavers and Spinners group which has flourished in North East Victoria over the past 50 years.
WHWS began in 1973 and several of the original members are still actively involved.
Current membership is around 60 enthusiastic crafters who meet regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at the Milawa Community Hall.
Members travel from across the region to attend meetings which provide an opportunity for friendship, fun, learning, social engagement and community involvement
The interests of the group reference the well known textile history of Wangaratta,
particularly the manufacture of woollen yarn. Group members support the Wangaratta
Show and other North East agricultural shows, by entering their work and conducting fibre
art demonstrations.
The exhibition showcased the range of talents within the group and hopes to encourage
those interested in learning or sharing similar skills to join this regional group. Also
included is a retrospective display of items crafted in the early years.
An exhibition was held mid 2023 to celebrate the Wangaratta Handweavers and Spinners group which has flourished in North East Victoria over the past 50 years.
WHWS began in 1973 and several of the original members are still actively involved.
Current membership is around 60 enthusiastic crafters who meet regularly on the first Tuesday of each month at the Milawa Community Hall.
Members travel from across the region to attend meetings which provide an opportunity for friendship, fun, learning, social engagement and community involvement
The interests of the group reference the well known textile history of Wangaratta,
particularly the manufacture of woollen yarn. Group members support the Wangaratta
Show and other North East agricultural shows, by entering their work and conducting fibre
art demonstrations.
The exhibition showcased the range of talents within the group and hopes to encourage
those interested in learning or sharing similar skills to join this regional group. Also
included is a retrospective display of items crafted in the early years.
The history began in 1973!
Two original members Phyllis Thomas (standing) and Jean Walpole (seated on right) are actively involved in the WHWS.
Lynelle Bourne seated at the spinning wheel is one of the newer members.
Lynelle Bourne seated at the spinning wheel is one of the newer members.
Display of some historical articles.
6. Felted hat by Barbara Amery (a foundation member).
7. Knitted beanie using handspun yarn – Phyllis Thomas.
10. Short-sleeved jumper knitted with hand spun fleece – Phyllis Thomas.
Display of naturally dyed articles.
104. Framed ‘Eco Print’ – Phyllis Thomas
WHWS workshop (2014). Eco printing on woollen blanket using a variety of local vegetation and framed into cards.
109. Sandy Thornhill-Cole. Three Skeins
Commercial wool using Peppermint leaves (orange). Onion skins mordanted twice in alum and crème of tartar (brown). Green peach leaves (green).
WHWS workshop (2014). Eco printing on woollen blanket using a variety of local vegetation and framed into cards.
109. Sandy Thornhill-Cole. Three Skeins
Commercial wool using Peppermint leaves (orange). Onion skins mordanted twice in alum and crème of tartar (brown). Green peach leaves (green).
The Conny Project.
Conny Doensen was a longtime member and a passionate and skilled spinner. When she passed away in 2022 at the age of 91 she bequeathed to members of WHWS a total of 32 project bags of handspun yarn. The items on display represent Conny’s legacy.
126. Barbara Tatterson – Navy Vest knitted with buttoned front in basket weave stitch.
129. Suzanne French – Scarf Wrap. Handspun and dyed by Conny. Knitted by Suzanne.
131. Sandy Thornhill-Cole – Woven Scarf. Warp – alternate my handwoven yarn and Conny’s yarn. Weft – Conny’s pink yarn.
133. Roberta Moser – Large Vest, pure wool.
137. Tracey Sharkey Grey Blanket, crocheted blanket measuring 110cm x 110cm.
126. Barbara Tatterson – Navy Vest knitted with buttoned front in basket weave stitch.
129. Suzanne French – Scarf Wrap. Handspun and dyed by Conny. Knitted by Suzanne.
131. Sandy Thornhill-Cole – Woven Scarf. Warp – alternate my handwoven yarn and Conny’s yarn. Weft – Conny’s pink yarn.
133. Roberta Moser – Large Vest, pure wool.
137. Tracey Sharkey Grey Blanket, crocheted blanket measuring 110cm x 110cm.
50th Cake. Love the sheep!
The 50th Anniversary cake was made and decorated by member Wendy Beer.
A luncheon begun the 50th Anniversary celebrations in February 2023 at the Winton Wetlands.
46 attended included guests from Albury/Wodonga Guild, Benalla Spinners, Beechworth Spinners and Cobram Spinners. The first president of WHWS cut the cake.
A luncheon begun the 50th Anniversary celebrations in February 2023 at the Winton Wetlands.
46 attended included guests from Albury/Wodonga Guild, Benalla Spinners, Beechworth Spinners and Cobram Spinners. The first president of WHWS cut the cake.
Gurli Nielsen, handspun yarn
Sandy Thornhill-Cole. Handspun yarn
Hand spun yarn from the ‘fibre sandwich’ Christmas meeting 2022 and pin-loom sample.
Barbara Tatterson. Handspun yarn
Natural dyed hand spun yarn; L to R – using red onion skins (green), brown onion skins (orange) and red onion skins using mordant alum (green).
33 grams of onion skins per 100 grams of yarn. The hanks were left in the dye overnight.
33 grams of onion skins per 100 grams of yarn. The hanks were left in the dye overnight.
Barbara Amery. Shawl.
The Shawl was crafted for the scarf exchange in 2022.
I received lovely soft wool in delicate pastel shades to work with.
I spun it fairly finely and of course with spinning the colours become mixed and muted.
This is a long wrap around shawl.
I used a pattern from Classic Knit Shawls by Interweave.
I received lovely soft wool in delicate pastel shades to work with.
I spun it fairly finely and of course with spinning the colours become mixed and muted.
This is a long wrap around shawl.
I used a pattern from Classic Knit Shawls by Interweave.
Maureen Hughes. Basket of knitted items.
Tracey Sharkey. Selection of work.
bottom of page